BACK-TO-BACK GRAND FINAL APPEARANCES A REALITY FOR LIONS
By Chris Nice
The Lions get closer to making another AFLW Grand Final apperance.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images AsiaPac
Brisbane's hopes of consecutive AFLW Grand Final appearances are fast becoming a reality after downing a lacklustre Greater Western Sydney by a whopping 40 points at Blacktown International Sports Park.
A 6.2 first quarter blitz from the Lions all but ruled the Giants out of the game, with Sabrina Frederick-Traub booting three of her four goals in the term.
The 40-point annihilation has given Brisbane a healthy percentage boost, which has since placed them in second on the AFLW ladder.
For the Lions to remain in second position, Melbourne must lose against the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night's massive clash, while Collingwood have to overcome the reigning premiers in Adelaide on Sunday.
With both the Lions and Giants having a distinct possibility of squeezing into the top-two, the rewards were immense going into the virtual preliminary final.
Although the Britt Tully scored the Giants' first major four minutes into the quarter, it was all Brisbane for the remainder of the term as Frederick-Traub stamped her influence on the game.
Frederick-Traub's imposing presence couldn't be contained by the GWS defence, as she snapped her first sensational goal after the ball ricocheted into her hands from a smothered clearing kick.
Moments later, her physicality and forward pressure was again rewarded with a major after winning a free kick from a crunching tackle 40m out from goal.
Jess Wuetshner soon joined in on the party with a trademark classy snap around the body to further extend the Lions' lead, and she soon added another goal to her name from a set shot.
But it was the electrifying Sophie Conway who provided the most excitement after she took on the GWS defenders, burning Elle Bennetts with her blistering run and booting a goal 40m out at full pace.
As if it couldn't get any worse for the Giants, Frederick-Traub casually slotted another with a checkside banana from the boundary - her class and strength making the impossible, possible.
The sound of the siren couldn't come soon enough for the Giants, who trailed by 31 points at the end of the first quarter.
But by then, the game was over.
Yet the first quarter smashing couldn't be attributed solely to Frederick-Traub, as the Lions as a whole combined to form a strong, cohesive and aggressive force which obliterated the unsuspecting Giants.
Their pace and ferocity across the ground was unparalleled as they accumulated double the Giants' possessions, triple their inside 50s and over five times their score.
The Giants tried to rectify their first quarter blunder, replacing Tanya Heatherington with Pepa Randall, who was given the almighty job of limiting Frederick-Traub's influence.
While the move dried up Frederick-Traub's scoring for the next two terms, it did little to minimise her presence all over the ground as she finished the half with 17 touches.
GWS only mustered the two behinds for the quarter opposed to the Lions' solitary goal from the speedy Kate McCarthy which mirrored that of her teammate in Conway.
The Giants were unable to keep up with Brisbane's pace, and by the end of the second half were battered, beaten and burned out.
Courtney Gum tried to get her team going with an early goal to kick off the third term, and an inspirational Alicia Eva run-down tackle on the dynamic McCarthy brought the crowd to their feet.
Yet the individual efforts weren't enough to will the Giants to stage an astonishing comeback, as the Lions - led by Ally Anderson who racked up a game-high 25 disposals - continued their relentless press.
By the fourth quarter, the game had slowed right down, but the Giants failed to add another major to their diminutive tally.
After a quarter of slingshot football with both teams struggling to convert, eventual sealers from Frederick-Traub and Wuestschner only added insult to the shell-shocked GWS, whose dreams of premiership contention were already over by the first quarter.
Finishing their season with 3-3-1, the Giants have shown much improvement following their disappointing 1-5-1 figures of 2017, but they didn't have the stocks to pull off a miracle Grand Final appearance.
Brisbane's fate is now out of their hands, as they nervously await the results of the upcoming clashes between the Bulldogs and Demons and the Crows and Magpies.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.6 (24)
BRISBANE 10.4 (64)
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Eva, Dal Pos, Farrugia
Brisbane: Frederick-Traub, Wuetschner, Anderson
CARLTON CLAIM WOODEN SPOON
By Chris Nice
The Blues leave the field in last place on the ladder. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images AsiaPac
Carlton's substandard season has been capped off after taking out the infamous wooden spoon following an 11-point defeat at the hands of Fremantle in blustery conditions at Fremantle Oval.
The Dockers managed to avoid the AFLW's least-coveted honour after piling on three quick goals in the final quarter to break away from the persistent Blues.
While the result of the game didn't influence the shape of the AFLW top-two, the battle of the spoon proved to be a far more exciting clash than previously anticipated.
With both teams' pride on the line, the Dockers and Blues came out firing - the physicality and pressure evident from players all over the ground.
Dana Hooker (25 disposals) made her mark early, getting plenty of the ball and giving her team plenty of opportunities to move forward.
Fremantle subsequently capitalised with a goal to skipper Kara Donnellan, and with the 32km/h winds blowing in their favour, looked poised to establish a healthy lead.
Yet the Blues didn't let the unfavourable conditions prevent them from scoring, with goals to Tayla Harris and Alison Downie, the latter of whom sold some serious candy and showed silky foot skills to give the Blues the lead.
Determined not to let her final game result in a loss, Amy Lavell put the Dockers back in front, and nearly jagged a second only moments later after bursting free from a pack.
The lead however was soured after Gabby O'Sullivan went down following a bump which she was unprepared for, resulting in her sitting out the rest of the game.
With the Dockers one woman down and the wind now blowing their way, the quarter belonged to Carlton as they wrangled the ball under their control and limited the Dockers to just the one major.
But Carlton's 1.5 for the term was far less than what they were hoping for, allowing the Dockers to escape with only a three-point deficit at the main change.
Fremantle's fortune was beneficial in terms of the score, but their injury woes worsened, this time with a knee injury to ruckman Alicia Janz, who on crutches and in a brace, joined O'Sullivan on the sidelines.
Despite their inaccuracy, Harris shined for the Blues and looked to be the one to finally break Carlton's four-game losing streak.
The signs of a win looked even more promising courtesy of a Darcy Vescio major in the opening minute, but back-to-back Fremantle goals prevented the Blues from maintaining the lead.
With neither team wanting to finish in last place, the intensity jumped up several notches during the quarter, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Shae Audley was escorted from the field by trainers after receiving a head knock in a tackle, while Harris was bumped late off the ball by Donnellan, who was straight off the ground and on the phone to coach Michelle Cowan straightaway after her actions resulted in a Katie Loynes major.
Spot fire melees broke out around the ground following Donnellan's bump, cranking up the intensity even further.
A brutal mid-air collision between Harris and Hayley Miller however emphasised just how much the game meant to the two sides.
Running at full pace with the flight of the ball, Miller was collected by the incoming Harris, whose knee hit the former square in the chest.
With both players down and being attended to by club medicos, play was stopped, giving fellow teammates and fans alike the time to realise just how courageous the two superstars were.
Both players miraculously played out the remainder of the game.
Running out of women to take to the field, the Dockers turned to Lavell who booted a goal after the siren to give her side a three-point lead going into the final quarter.
Three terrific goals in a row to the Dockers from Ashley Sharp, Ebony Antonio and Hooker gave the Dockers some much-needed breathing room as the Carlton offensive refused to relent.
While the Blues had their chances, another inaccurate 1.5 quarter destroyed their chances of a morale-boosting win.
Although both teams suffered a disappointing 2018, the endeavour and persistence seen at Fremantle Oval proved there's still fire in their bellies.
2019 can't come quick enough.
FREMANTLE 9.5 (59)
CARLTON 6.12 (48)
BEST
Fremantle: Hooker, Webb, Lavell
Carlton: Harris, Loynes, S. Hosking
WESTERN BULLDOGS LOCK IN GRAND FINAL
By Chris Nice
The Bulldogs celebrate after securing a place in the AFLW Grand Final for 2018.
Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac
The Western Bulldogs have become the first side to advance to the 2018 AFLW Grand Final, after a goal from Brooke Lochland put the Dogs ahead of Melbourne by two points with just under a minute and a half left on the clock.
Blustery conditions at VU Whitten Oval made scoring difficult at the northern end of the ground, resulting in a seesawing affair which saw five lead changes throughout the course of the game.
Thanks to Brisbane's demolition of the Giants on Friday night, the Demons needed to overcome the Bulldogs and gain the four points in order to keep their Grand Final hopes alive.
Tight and contested football opened up proceedings in the first quarter, with both sides desperately vying for an early leg-up.
Melbourne powerhouse Richelle Cranston gave her side the first goal of the game midway through the quarter.
But even with the wind going their way, it was the only goal the Demons could muster as they went into quarter-time with a seven-point buffer.
The Dees' disappointment only deepened after the injury-riddled Sarah Lampard was taken from the field with a right knee issue, putting pressure on the Melbourne midfield who were already down a rotation.
Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman were once again forced to rise to the occasion and absorb the extra workload, with the latter playing 100 per cent of game time.
With the Bulldogs scoreless and the wind blowing to their advantage in the second quarter, goals certainly would not go astray.
Majors to Deanna Berry, Emma Kearney and returning skipper Katie Brennan propelled the Bulldogs in front as the Bulldogs asserted their dominance with 11 inside 50s opposed to Melbourne's three.
Paxman somehow found a way to break past the Bulldogs' sturdy offensive, kicking a much-needed goal against the wind to bring the margin back to seven points at the conclusion of the first half.
A Grand Final position on the line, any mistake - particularly in the premiership quarter - had the potential to bring about disastrous consequences.
Hannah Scott was the first to crack, after she stepped outside the square following a kick-out, resulting in a goal to Katherine Smith who managed to weave her way through the heavy traffic to put the Demons one point in front.
The costly errors seemed to be contagious after Aliesha Newman hit the post from the goal square after a stunning three-bounce run down the ground with Scott - who ultimately rectified her previous wrongdoings after affecting the kick - hot on her heels the entire way.
Venting her frustration, Newman punched the goal post - an action which perfectly summarised Melbourne's entire quarter.
Although they'd kept the Bulldogs scoreless yet again, Melbourne were unable to establish a sizeable buffer with the strong wind blowing their way.
The Demons' exasperating 1.6 for the quarter put all sorts of pressure on them coming into the final term, and with only a five-point advantage, it was going something extraordinary to keep them in the race for a Grand Final position.
Monique Conti was awarded a dubious free kick in the goal square against Harriet Cordner for a high tackle, with the NAB Rising Star nominee just squeezing the ball through the goals with a mongrel kick.
The controversial call placed the Bulldogs in the lead once again by a solitary point, and with time running out, the Demons needed to defy the odds once more and kick a goal against the wind.
Kate Hore appeared to be Melbourne's saviour, who converted from a set shot 30m out and snatched the lead back from the resilient Bulldogs.
With seven minutes left on the clock, the Demons were unable to work the ball up to their forward line to kick the sealer, while the Dogs couldn't get a mark within their 50.
It looked like Melbourne might just hang on and make it through to the Grand Final.
But with 86 seconds left on the clock, disaster struck.
In what was quiet game for the AFLW leading goalkicker up until that point, Brooke Lochland found herself with the ball in hand as she wheeled around on her left and put the Bulldogs two points in front.
Whitten Oval erupted as the ball sailed through the goals, and Bulldog teammates flocked to the small forward with the Grand Final now within their reach.
The Demons gave it everything they had, but were unable to find the ball anywhere near their goal as the clock continued to count down the seconds before heartbreak would strike.
As the final siren sounded, tears streamed from players' eyes; some out of happiness, some out of sadness as the reality dawned upon them.
Melbourne will be nothing short of inconsolable following the narrow loss, yet again missing out on a Grand Final position by a matter of percentage for the second consecutive year.
The elated Bulldogs will face either Brisbane or Adelaide in the second AFLW Grand Final, depending on the result of tomorrow's clash between Collingwood and the Crows at Olympic Park.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.3 (33)
MELBOURNE 4.7 (31)
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Kearney, Bruton, Conti
Melbourne: Paxman, D. Pearce, Cranston
MAPGIES CRUSH CROWS' GRAND FINAL DREAMS
By Zac Standish
The shell-shocked Crows post-match as the Grand Final dream slips through their fingers.
Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac
The equation was simple for the reigning premiers, Adelaide.
A win against the lowly Collingwood at Olympic Park would gift them their second AFLW Grand Final appearance.
But a fired-up Collingwood outfit brought Adelaide’s inconsistent season to a dramatic halt with an outstanding 21-point victory following a ruthless second half.
Sitting on 14 points on the AFLW ladder, it was do or die for Adelaide.
The Crows came out with a sense of intensity and vigour in the first quarter as they looked to create history with a second consecutive Grand Final appearance - their hunger clearly evident around the contests.
Yet it would be Collingwood who managed hit the scoreboard first, following some excellent counter-attack play which resulted in a major for Jasmine Garner.
The initial hiccup didn't derail the determined Adelaide side, as Erin Phillips took control over the midfield and was instrumental in setting up two quick goals for Ruth Wallace and Anne Hatchard.
The Crows dominated field position for majority of the quarter, however numerous missed opportunities in front of goal would only see them take a 10-point advantage at the first change.
Adelaide continued to assert their authority into the second quarter, with their class and skill seemingly too much for the Magpie army.
Jenna McCormick channelled her soccer skills with a clever toe-poke through the big sticks to stretch the Crows' lead out to a game-high 17 points midway through the second term.
Marquee player Moana Hope quickly responded for the Pies, with a classy snap breathing life back into her side and sending nerves through the desperate opposition.
Not long after thanks to a skilful piece of play from Hope, Garner added another major to her name to further reduce the margin to under a kick right before half-time.
But a last-gasp effort by Stevie-Lee Thompson 15 seconds out from half-time helped restore an 11-point margin for the reigning premiers at the main change.
With everything to play for in the second half, all Adelaide needed to do was hold off the seventh-placed Magpies to book their spot in another AFLW Grand Final.
However, with inspirational co-captain Chelsea Randall sidelined following a head knock, their situation immediately became more difficult.
In a see-sawing period of footy, both sides peppered the goals early in the term to no effect - the howling winds at Olympic Park making major scores hard to come by.
A late burst by the Pies however would catch the Crows off-guard, as a kind bounce from a Melissa Kuys snap broke the deadlock.
Riding on their momentum, Collingwood quickly gained the lead minutes out from three-quarter time, as a persistent effort and goal from Christina Bernardi sent the Crows into panic stations.
Without Randall and a severely hampered Phillips, it would be an ugly last quarter for Adelaide as Collingwood emphatically ended their season.
The response by the black-and-white armada was simply superb as they won the ball at the contests, used it more efficiently and ran their now heartbroken opponents into the ground.
In what was a very good sign for the Magpies, Collingwood piled on three goals to zero through Bernardi, Garner and Lauren Tesoriero.
Adelaide weren't able to keep up with the resurgent Magpies, yet alone recreate their performance 12 months ago against the Pies in round seven which secured their maiden Grand Final birth.
The game showed the young talent coming through at Collingwood, who after three of their last four games against quality opposition sides, will go into the third AFLW season full of confidence.
Adelaide on the other hand will take a long, hard look at themselves over the off-season as they figure out a way to win games without star players Randall and Phillips in prime condition.
COLLINGWOOD 8.5 (53)
ADELAIDE 4.8 (32)
BEST
Collingwood: Lambert, Garner, Hope, Bernardi
Adelaide: Marinoff, Phillips, Randall, Wallace
Comments